My great-grandparents are Alexander and Elizabeth Fish Thompson of White Oak, Ingham, Michigan. I have been able to find out a lot about Elizabeth's family but nothing about Alexander's family. Not long ago I sent for one of Elizabeth's brother's Civil War file. The brother's name was Elbridge Gerry Fish. In Elbridge's Civil War file is a letter that Elbridge wrote to Elizabeth and Alexander. (The reason the letter is in there, is Elbridge is using the letter as proof of Civil War service.) Anyway, the letter, written from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on June 10, 1865, partially reads as follows:

"I have some sad inteligence for you if you have not heard it already. Your brother Henry is no more. He was kicked by a horse in May and died the 9 or 10 near Petersburg or City Point. I forget which. I have seen the horse that kicked him, also the one he used to ride. My informant tells me he was a good soldier. He was hit in the leg. I have not time to give particulars now......"

Since he says "your brother Henry" I know he is talking about Alexander's brother, as if it was Elbridge's and Elizabeth's brother, he would say "our brother". I also know that Elbridge and Elizabeth didn't have a brother named Henry. So this letter is the only clue I have about a family member of Alexander's. In Civil War databases, I found a soldier named Henry Thompson who served in the 1st Michigan Calvary. He died from non-combat injuries/disease on May 15, 1865 and is buried in City Point, VA. So I am really, pretty sure that this is the brother named Henry that is referred to in the letter. I have sent for his Civil War file but can hardly wait until it comes. Does anyone know anything about this soldier, Henry Thompson? Can anyone tell me in more detail what the Michigan 1st Calvary was doing in May, 1865?